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Police are looking for the younger sister of top chef Heston Blumenthal after she failed to attend court to face charges of beating their mother.

A judge issued a warrant for the arrest of Alexis Blumenthal after she did not appear in court accused of assaulting her 76-year-old mother, Celia, on October 7 and on September 9.

The 48-year-old was due to appear before Oxford Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with two counts of assault by beating.

District Judge Tim Pattinson issued the warrant.

A spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police confirmed officers were looking for her.

She said: “We are attempting to locate her and anyone with information is encouraged to call us.”

Blumenthal lives in the picturesque village of Thame, Oxon, where the assault on October 7 was alleged to have taken place. The other, on September 9, was said to have occurred in the nearby town of Watlington where her mother lives.

Celia Blumenthal, last night said she did not wish to make any comment on her daughter’s non appearance, saying it was a private family matter.

Heston Blumenthal, who has made a series of hit TV shows, once described how his mother raised both children.

His flagship Michelin star restaurant, the Fat Duck, is just across the Oxon border in Maidenhead, Berks.

Heston once said: "My parents were... eccentric. My mum's not shy in speaking her mind. My old man prefers an easy life - like me.

"Dad had a leasing company but retired over 15 years ago. Mum helped with the business and brought up me and my sister, Alexis."